A woman’s body undergoes many physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy, but the changes may differ from one woman to another. Nausea is a common symptom experienced by women during pregnancy. Nausea or vomiting during pregnancy is termed as morning sickness, and it may occur during any time of the day.

Some women may only have a nauseating feeling, while others may experience vomiting during pregnancy. The duration of the nausea phase also varies; for some, it may last only up to the first trimester, while it may last till their due date for others. One should know the causes of nausea and the tips to deal with it during pregnancy.

Causes of nausea during pregnancy
Morning sickness or nausea during pregnancy is a common occurrence for most women. Although it is called morning sickness, it may happen at any time and last for different durations for different women. Even a mild bout of nausea can wear women down because it adds to the fatigue caused by the hormonal changes. There are several causes of morning sickness during pregnancy:

• hCG Hormone : Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone is at its peak during pregnancy. As the levels of this hormone go up, so does nausea. Women carrying multiple fetuses experience more nausea because of very high levels of hCG.
• Estrogen : This is another hormone that reaches high levels during pregnancy and is known to induce morning sickness.
• Sensitivity to odors : Certain aromas or odors may act as nausea triggers in pregnant women, and the trigger varies for each woman. Some women may even develop food aversions during pregnancy, and eating certain foods may also cause morning sickness.
• Sensitive stomach : The digestive tracts of pregnant women may become extra sensitive. This may also trigger nausea or vomiting during pregnancy.
• Stress : Some women are known to be psychologically predisposed toward nausea during pregnancy.

Tips for tackling nausea during pregnancy
Although morning sickness is a passing phase for most women, severe bouts of vomiting may cause dehydration or fatigue, and they need to be dealt with:

• Give the body adequate rest to recuperate from bouts of vomiting.
• Eating smaller meals at regular intervals not only keeps nausea at bay but also prevents heartburn during pregnancy.
• Over a period, you will be able to identify foods and odors that trigger morning sickness, and you should ensure that you avoid these foods till the vomiting abates. Choose foods that do not trigger vomiting instead.
• Frequent vomiting may leave you hungry and exhausted, so always keep snacks handy.
• Mint and ginger are known to help women overcome the feeling of nausea.
• Ask your gynecologist for medication to prevent morning sickness.

As already mentioned, each woman faces different changes during pregnancy. Try out various methods and stick to the one that works best for you in dealing with morning sickness.